In the mercurial landscape of Hollywood, few ascents have been as dizzying or as deserved as that of Chase Infiniti. As we navigate the 2026 awards season, the Indiana-born newcomer has transitioned from a “complete unknown” to a Golden Globe-nominated powerhouse with the kind of speed usually reserved for a Paul Thomas Anderson tracking shot. Her feature film debut in the action-epic “One Battle After Another” has not only garnered universal acclaim but has also positioned her as the beating heart of a high-stakes, father-daughter narrative opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. With her magnetic presence, a prestigious new role as a Louis Vuitton ambassador, and a slate of upcoming projects that signal a long-term stay at the top, Infiniti is no longer just a “star to watch”—she is the radiant new energy reshaping the industry’s codes.
The Paul Thomas Anderson Gamble: From Self-Tape to Stardom
The story of Chase Infiniti’s casting in One Battle After Another is already the stuff of industry legend. While filming her first-ever on-camera role in the Apple TV+ thriller Presumed Innocent, Infiniti submitted an unassuming self-tape for an untitled project. Director Paul Thomas Anderson, known for his meticulous eye for talent, was immediately struck. During her callback, he invited her to participate in a karate class; despite being the only beginner in a room of experts, her resilience and natural athletic grace won her the role of Willa Ferguson on the spot.
In the film, Infiniti portrays the spirited daughter of an off-grid revolutionary (DiCaprio), a role that demanded both emotional depth and physical rigor. The “chemistry reads” were far from traditional, involving everything from dinner to karate sessions to build an authentic familial bond. This unconventional preparation paid off; critics have hailed her performance as “spectacularly present,” noting that the film’s massive scale only works because of the intimate, fiercely unconditional love she shares with DiCaprio on screen.
A Red Carpet Revelation: The Louis Vuitton Ambassador
As her cinematic profile rose, so too did her status as a high-fashion muse. In late 2025, Louis Vuitton made the “inevitable convergence” official, naming Infiniti their latest Maison Ambassador. Working with the styling duo Wayman and Micah, she has become the breakout fashion star of the 2026 circuit. From a custom champagne satin gown at her film’s world premiere to a mirrored silver bustier at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, Infiniti wears Louis Vuitton with a precision and grace that Nicolas Ghesquière calls “absolutely fascinating and authentic.”
Her fashion voice is a blend of powerful femininity and cinematic allure. Whether she is appearing at the Louvre for the Spring–Summer 2026 show or opting for “naked dressing” in a crochet Oscar de la Renta look at the National Board of Review Gala, she navigates the red carpet with the same confidence she displays in an action sequence. For Infiniti, fashion is another layer of her storytelling, an opportunity to “take in every moment” of a season she has longed for since her early days in musical theater.
Roots and Resilience: From Indianapolis to Chicago
Born Chase Infiniti Payne on May 5, 2000, the 25-year-old’s journey began in the Midwest. Raised in Indianapolis by her parents, Keith Irvin Payne and Kimberly Able, she was named after Nicole Kidman’s character, Chase Meridian, in Batman Forever—a prophetic nod to her future on the silver screen. Her passion for performance sparked at age ten during a school musical, leading her to graduate from Columbia College Chicago in 2022. During her college years, she balanced her studies with work as a kickboxing trainer, a background that undoubtedly prepared her for the “one battle after another” she would face in her debut film.
Despite her rapid rise, Infiniti remains deeply connected to her roots. At the 2026 Golden Globes, she brought her father as her date, a moment she described as “surreal.” Her parents, who “freaked out” more than she did when she landed a role opposite DiCaprio, have been her primary support system throughout a year she describes as an “insane daze.” This groundedness—a mix of Indiana humility and Chicago grit—is perhaps her most enduring quality, allowing her to stay “authentic and always prepared” as she navigates her first major awards marathon.
The Infinite Horizon: ‘The Testaments’ and Beyond
The 2026 awards sweep is only the beginning for Infiniti. She has already secured her next major television role as Agnes in The Testaments, the highly anticipated sequel series to The Handmaid’s Tale. Starring alongside veteran Ann Dowd, Infiniti is set to lead the charge in a narrative that picks up fifteen years after the events of the original series. Dowd has already signaled her “industry co-sign,” praising the young actress for her deep preparation and emotional intelligence on set.
On the film front, Infiniti is set to lead the coming-of-age drama The Julia Set, portraying a mathematical prodigy. Her ability to transition from a high-octane action thriller to a nuanced indie drama and a prestigious dystopian series proves her range is as infinite as her name suggests. As she accepts Breakthrough Performance honors from the National Board of Review and prepares for the 2026 Oscars, Chase Infiniti is proof that the dream is not just to be cast, but to be truly, undeniably present.
